Electrolytic apparatus.



I. H. LEVIN.

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Q I. H. LEVIN.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 191a.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

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' Inventor:

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I. H. LEVIN.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1913.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

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I'm enter:

UNTIED STATES Parana OFFICE.

Isaac H. Laws, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 INTERNATIONAL ox'romt COMPANY, A conrona'rron GFNEW JERSEY.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

Application filed May 9, 1913. Serial No. 766,469.

' Newark, in the county of Essexand State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrolytic Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference. being had therein to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My invention relates to electrolytic apparatus, and more particularly to a type of diaphragm apparatus especially adapted for use in dissociating the oxygen and hydrogen entering into an electrolyte.

The main object of the invention is td provide a multiple cell electrolytic apparatus wherein the oxygen and hydrogen reduced will be prevented from mixing in t e apparatus and wherein the electrolyte adjacent the anoue and that adjacent the cathode will be prevented from commingling in a 'manner to avoid the carrying of "as from adjacent the anode to adjacent 1219 cathode, or vice .versa.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of this character wherein an e ual pressure of the oxygen and the hy rogen in the device will be automatically maintained.

A still further objectis to provide an apparatus of this character wherein the pressures upon opposite sides of, the diaphragm will always be the same and a slow circulation will he maintained, thus" avoiding distortion or disruption of the diaphragm which would result from unequal pressures, or. too rapid a circulation.

A stillfurther object is to provide an apparatus of this character wherein electrolyte is automatically supplied to the various cells, and a constant level of said'elcctrolyte will be maintained, irrespective of the level in the electrolyte reservoir.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character having electrodes grouped upon opposite sides of the clear trolyte chamber ,or tank and gas domes wherein any electrode may be assembled upon either side of the electrolyte chamber or tank, and wherein. the number of electrodes may be increased or. diminished as desired. said electrodes being standardized or capable of insertion at any point in the,

' apparatus.

A still further oh'ject to provide an electrolytic apparatus wherein the elficiency of the apparatus will be raised by so constructing and arrangin the electrodes as to avoid deterioration t ereof through corros on. Y a

A still further object is to so construct the electrodes as to minimize resistance to the electric current at the anode or cathode, thus increasing the effective decomposition of the electrolyte with a current of low voltage and minimize the necessity for excess voltage over that required in decomposing the Yelectrolyte. And a still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character which is capable of producing practically pure hydrogen and practically pure ox gen, andv of being operated continuously without requiring special attention! and without a likelihood of a loss of eliicienoy or of the apparatus becoming inoperative.

The invention consists in the novel features of mnstruction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the (l1'awings:-Fig11re 1 is a perspective view of an electrolytic apparatus embodying my invention. partly broken away; Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the g domes-and the. electrolyte chamber; Fig. ls an elevation of one of the electrodes; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4. of Fig. 3; Fig. 5-is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a section on the lined- 6 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 7 is a view of two adjoining electrodes, said electrodes being shown on a section corresponding to the line 77 of Fig. 8, the diaphragm and gaskets being shown in place between said electrodes.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views. 1

In the embodiment of my invention shown. in. the drawings, I employs tank or reservoir a, divided into two similar compartments or: by the partition (i, the lower end of which projects into an'open trough e leaving a space below said partition through which one compartment is placed in communication with the other. The projecting walls of the trough c extend above the bottomof the partition (1 to an extent sufficient to prevent hydrogen bubbles passing from one compartment or chamber to the other beneath said partition.

I .eadiug from .the'compartments b and a Q i v 1,094,728

and adjacent the bottom thereof are the outsaid tank by means of which the electrodes let openings b a through which electrolyte may'be'sccured in position relative to said contained in said reservoir or tank is adapttank. ed to flow to the various cells. The lower Grouped upon opposite sidesof the tank a portion of the compartments or chambers is a plurality of electrodes, the abutting 1 b c is constricted as shown, and the upper frames or rims of which form a series 0 portion thereof is extended to form the su'r.- electrolytic cells, each of which is adapted faces I) 0 the function ofwhich, as will be to'receive a supply of electrolyte from the more fully described hereinafter, is to retard feed'tank a.

the flow of and a itate the electrolyte conhe number of electrodes used ma be in- 75 a g .l

tainingthe oxygen and hydrogen bubbles as creased or diminished as desired, andas all it enters the upper portion of this chamber, of the electrodes are alike in construction, thus aiding in separating these gases from and each, cell is formed in the same manner, the electrolyte and preventing their being a description of but one electrode and ofthe carried toward the outlet openings 6 of. construction of but one cell will be entered so These surfaces 6 0 have thereon respecinto. tively bailies b c which may be, and pref- Each electrode comprises a frame It haverably are, used for preventing the formaing secured thereto or formed therewith in tion of a stream of the fluid containing the a manner to prevent thcpassage of the elecgas. The compartments 6 a are ,open at the trolyte thereabout, a metallic plate m so set top and surmounting the tank or reservoir (1 within said frame as to cause said, plate and Y are two noncommunicating domes f g havthe plate of an adjoining electrode to be ing open bottoms or other means of connecspaced apart sufficiently ,to form a chamber tion with said chambers or compartments or cell therebetween. The frame I? is pro- 25 Z 0. Watertight joints are formed between vided with a projection in at the top thereof, so the tank or reservoir and the domes in any having a plurality of openings. n 0, comdesired manner. The domes f g are promunicating by means of the ducts n 0 re vided respectively with sight gages f g spectively, with opposite sides of the plate and with "as oiftakc ducts f g communicatm. The lug or projection lo extends beyond '30 ing with t e upper portion thereof. the perimeter or outer edge of the frame L" Exteriorly of the tank or reservoir a adso that any leakage from the openings n 0 jacent the bottom thereof, as shown in Fig. will be into atmosphere and hence readily 1, is a combined feed and drain pipe h surdetected. The openings a 0 are so arranged mounted by a feed tank 5, a drain cock 7' that they are adapted to registcrwith simi- 85 being provided in the length of the pipe z lar openings in other frames 1: to form a 5 openingsa are provided in side flanges on and preferably ,at the lowest level thereof. continuous duct by means of which com- This feed tank irhas the twofold function of munication is established between that porbcing capable of utilization for filling the tion of eachccll-adjacent the anode and that tank, a, and the various cells, and in aiding ortion of each cell adjacent the cathode,,or

0 to equalize pressures throughout the aplietween opposite sides of the plate m, and 10:5 paratus. v the ports f* g in the domes f and 9 respec' The domes f and g are each providedwith tively'. About. caclr opening a o the projeca gas inlet duct f g, the discharge end of tion or lug 7c'-has formed therein a seat a 0 which is presented downwardly toward and for a packing gasket, as w 0. The bottom 45 above the surface I) a in' the compartments of each frame in is provided with a plurality b 0, and spaced slightly away therefrom. of openings p g preferably arranged in a The intake port f of each said inlet duct i projection or lug la similar to the lug k", is adapted to be connected with the various said openings being in communication with electrodes in the manner to be hereinafter oppoite sides of the plate m throu h the 50 described. The arrangement of the inlets is ducts 7) q. The-openings p q are a apted such that there will be an automaticequalto register with-similar openings in ad oinization of the "pressure upon opposite sides ing lugs, and to form therewith a contimlous of the diaphragm of each cell so as to avoid duct ada ted to be in communica 10h a too rapid circulation of the electrolytid through t io ports b a" with the compact;

55 fluid through said diaphragm, with such a ments or chambers I) c respectively so as to resultant disruption thereof as would perconvey the electrolyte from said compart-- mit the gas to pass from adjacent the anode merits or chambers respectively to ad acent to adjacent the cathode. or the, commingling the anode or adjacent'the cathode of each of the gases gene-rated upon opposite sides cell. By this constructioneach cell ssup- 60 of said diaphragm. plied with the electrolyte from the-tank a 126 The outer faces of the end walls of the under conditions which will prevent a'com tank a are machined so as to form a proper mingling of that portion of the electrolyte facing against which an'elcctrode frame may adjacent the anode with tha portion of the b ar and be attached, and suitable tie rod electrolyte adjacent the cathode through the supply duct. In other words, that por- 13 tion of the electrolyteadjacent to the anode will be supplied through a duct communicating only with the spacc' adjacent the various anodes and from a chamber or compartmcnt through which only the oxygen passes, while that portion adjacent the cathode receives its supply of electrolyte through a,

duct communicating only with the space adjacent' the various cathodes and front a chamber wherein the hydrogen is delivered, both ducts drawing their supply of electrolyte from a point of the tank a which will preclude the possibility of hydrogen being delivered through one duct-to adjacent the anode. and oxygen bubbles being de livcred through said other duct to adjacent the cathode.-

That :ponjion of the frame 70 adjacent each opening p g is provided With at least one countersunkgasket seat p g for the gaskets 72 -1? used an forming a continuous watertig 12 joint between adjoining electrodes. Seated between each frame 70 .and the frame I; of the adjoining electrode, is a diaphragm 1, preferably composed of asbestos or any other suitable material permeable to the electrolyte, the edge of which diaphragm insulates and seals the inner edge or perimeter of said frames, forming both a water and gas tight jointl If desired, packin other than the diaphragm may be used $01 the purpose of forming this oint;

All of the electrodes in a'battery are firmly clamped and positioned b means of the insulat ng clamp bars a an tie rod t assing through or seated in the openings (1 1n the tanlg o, the entire battery being insulated from gropnd by suitable supports as u.

To secure 'the maximum surface in the plates m, I usecorruga-ted sheets of rolled or ,cast metal as shown, and the thickness of these plates relative to that of the frames 70 is such as to bringt-hem as close together as possible to reduce the internal resistance of each cell. The peaks of the corrugations will tend. to prevent such a distortion of the diaphragm as would bring it in contact with the surface of the plate, but to insure against anypossibility of such distortion, I

provide the surface of each plate with a plu-- rality of projections m. To .insure the circulation of the electrolyte about all portions of the faces "of each plate, I cut away each corrugzitiom'vvhich cut away portions are indicated at m, ina manner to permit the electrolyte to pass from one side-of each corrugation to the other side thereof. If desired, the entire faceof each plate m on both sides thereof may have a wire mesh extend- -ed-o\'cr same, which mesh 's indicated at m in the drawings. This mesh while increasing theefiiciency of each cell may be dispersed with if desired as the apparatus is highly efiicient Without the use of such.

In operating an electrolytic apparatus of as herein described, I

- cumulating the character herein described, it has been found that the voltage ofwthe current used must always be in excess of the theoretical resistance of the cell, this excess voltage beresistance at the electrodes. )Nhile with electrodes of similar metal, high efiiciency can be secured in any a paratus constructed ave found that by using an anode and a, cathode of dissimilar metals, or having dissimilar meta'lized surfaces, I can secure greater economy in the operation of the apparatus or higher capacity with a given, voltage. In actual practice, I have found that a nickel surface for the anode and an iron surface for the cathode produce the best results, and so far as experiments have been able to determine, an iron plate m having one surface thereof electro-plated with nickel is quite as efficient as a laminated plate m, consisting of an iron sheet and a nickel sheet associated in the frame 70. Hence I prefer to use a bi-polar electrode wherein that portion forming the anode indicated at o in the drawings presents 'a nickel surface, and that portion forming the cathode indicated at w presents an iron surface. It is not my intention to claim in this application the specific construction of the electrode as to the dissimilar metals employed, such being the subject matter of a separate application filed by me February 26, 1914, Serial No. 821,126.

In the accompan ing drawings, I have indicated the leads rom the mains at w, the ammeter at A, the voltmeter at V, the switch at S and the conductors in electrical connection with the terminals of the battery at C C.

The operation .of the herein described electrolytic apparatus is substantially as follows :-.A battery of cells having been assembled in the manner shown in the draw ing, the electric current is passed: through said cells, the electrol to being decomposed in the usual and well nown manner to free the oxygen and hydrogen, the former acin the form 'of bubbles on the surface of the anode,fandthe latter accumulating in the form of bubbles on the surface of the cathode, these bubbles ultimately ris ing to the top of each cell, passing through the outlets n 0 and through the intake (:rts f, '9, being finally discharged into the domes f g respectively through the ducts f 9 The close proximity of the anode and the cathode, and the conductivity of the diaphragm due to the absorption thereby of the electrolyte, reduces the internal resistance of the cell without reducing the efficiency of the apparatus. As I heretofore stated, by usin an anode and cathode having exposed sag faces of dissimilar metals, this resistance may be still further reduced.

The various cells in the apparatus are nlied with electrolyte through the ducts formed by the alinemcnt of the o cnings p and g in the VZLI'lOUS electrode ames O1 rims, the supply of electrolyte being led p, and from by the duct of expression theducts formed of the openings p q wi as the ducts 79 ll be referred to hereafter simply q. Thed-uct p being in COHI- munication with each cell upon one side of the diaphragm therein, an in communication with said cell upon the other side of said diaphragm,

adJaccnt thee the supply pipe and jacent the cathode, or vice versa.

rangement of d the duct g being the electrolyte cannot circulate through be mixed with that ad- The are ducts formed by the openings nv o and the meansvby which gas flows thereto from the various cells are. such that no admixture of the gases can occur either in the cell Or in delivering from the various cells to the domes. noncommunicating,

The domes f 9 being none of the gas stored therein 'or passing therethrough can pass from one to the other as the sole means 0 communication between said domes s through the trough e which is located at a point where the electrolyte will be substantially, free of gas bubbles. of the gas inlets f g is such that the gas in the domes f 9 must pass up- The arrangement said ducts, the surfaces 7) 0 e development of currents in the electrolyte in the chambers b c which would tend to carry the wardly therewith. The b gas bubbles downafiies b a will also aid in breaking up this current to assist in freeing the ga although these baffles are not essential merely insuring a more i d electrolyte.

ofsaid ducts f g defines the level of the clctrolyte in the various cells, and also maintains a the gas an charge end in each cell phragm, thus circulation of break the diaphragm.

The means of communica chambers b a and the domes f g, as exem ficd by .the trough e, of the electrolyte from one ch other as to cause the hydrostatic pressure s bubbles from the electrolyte,

rapid separation o Thelevel of the disuniform pressure withupon both sides of the diapreventing: a sufliciently rapid the electrolyte to deform or tion between the lipcrmits such a ow amber to the throughout the apparatus to-be uniform.

By using an auxiliary sure may be feed tank, this pres made constant. The hydrostaticpressure throughoutthe apparatus being uniform,

end of the ducts f will be the same,

maintaining u sure througho pressures upo phragm', both the pressure at the discharge thus nitorm and constant gas presut all of the cells. Hence the n opposite sides of the diahydrostatic and gas, will be For convenience equal, and the circulation of electrolyte throughout the apparatus will be slow, as determined by therate of decomposition.

It is not my. intentionto limitv myself to the precise details of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, it being apparent that such may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

therein'a cell containing an andde, acat ode and an interposed diaphragm, a tank ing separate compartments or chambers for the electrolyte, and independent, noncommunicating means delivering electrolyte from one of said compartments or chambers to adjacent the anode, and from. the other'of said compartments or the cathode. 3. An electrolytic apparatus embodying therein a cell containing ananode, a. cathode and an interposed diaphragm, separate sources of electrolytic supply, noncommunicating gas domes, in municating means from said sources of suppl respectively to. opposite sides of said diap ragm, and noncommunicating oiftake ducts communicatin with opposite sides of said diaphragman discharging into said gas domes respectively.

4. An electrolytic apparatus embod ing therein a cell containing an anode, a cat ode and an interposed diaphragm, a tank having electrolyte, a dome surmounting each said compartment or chamber and communicating therewith, independent, noncommunieating means delivering electrolyte from one of said compartments or chambers to adjacent the anode, and from the other of said compartments or chambers to adjacent the cathode, and ducts communicating with opposite sides 0 said diaphragm and discharging into said gas domes respectively.

5. therein a cell containing an anode, a catode .and an interposed diaphragm, a tank containing separate compartments or chambers for the electrolyte, a dome sun-mounting each said compartment or chamber and communicating therewith, each of said domes having an intake port/and an inlet duct Having described my invention, what I chambers to adj acent' noncommunicatin'g ofitake' An electrolytic apparatus embod ing' cat 2. An electrolytic apparatus embod ing hav- dependent, no'noom-- delivering electrolyte separate compartments or chambers for the loading t1ierefr0m and having its discharge presented downwardly into its compartment or chamber, means whereby said intake ports are. respectively placed in communication 5 with said cell adjacent the anode and adjacent the cathode, and means deliveringelectrolyte from said tank to opposite sides of the other of said compartments or chambers to adjacent the cathode.

7. An electrolytic'apparatus embodying therein a cell. containing an anode, a cathode and an interposed diaphragm, a tank, a pendant partition therein-forming separate compartments or chambers for the electrolyte, a trough open at'the top and'inclosing the lower edge of said partition, and indeendent, noncommunicating means delivermg electrolyte from one of said compartments or chambers to adjacent the anode, and from the other of said com 'artments or chambers to adjacent the catho e. l 8. An electrolytic apparatus embodying therein a battery composed of a plurality of cells coupled in serie s,-each said cell containing an anode, a cathode and an interposed diaphragm, separate sources of, electrolytic 4 "supply common to all of said'cel1s,--and' independent, noncommunicating means delivering electrolyte from said sources of supply respectively to adjacent the anode of each 'cell and to adjacent the cathode of each cell.

9. An electrolytic apparatus embodyin therein a battery composed of a plurality 0% cells coupled in series, each said cell containmg an anode, a cathode and an interposed diaphragm, separate sources of electrolytic supply t of said cells, independent, nonavv ing means delivering electrolyte irom sai sources of suppl respectively to adjacent the anode of each (Tell and to adjacent the cathode of each cell, and means maintaining equal hydrostatic pressure on both sides of the diaphragm of all of said cells. I

10. An electrolytic apparatus embodying therein a battery com'posedof a plurality of cells coupled in series, each said cell containing an anode, a cathode ands/n interposed j diaphragm, separate sources of electrolytic eupplycommon to all of said cells independent, noncommunicating means deliverelec'trhlyte from said sources of supply chambers to adjacent the anode, and from respectively to adjacent the anode of each cell and to adjacent the cathode of each cell, means maintaining equal hydrostatic pressure on both sides of the diaphragm in each of said eells,'noncomh1unicating ofl'take ducts communicating with the side of said diaphragm adjacent the anode, and with the side of said diaphragm adjacent the cathode, respectively,- and independent, noncommunicating storage means into which said 0dtake ducts discharge.- I

11. An 'eleetroly 'ie apparatus embodying therein a battery composed of a plurality of electmdes,-each consisting of an 1m erforate plateadaptedto form the anode '0 one cell of said battery and the cathode of the contiguous cell, and-a metallic frame inclosing said plate, having at the-top thereof two noncommunicating openings therethrough adapted to form, :with similar openings in contiguous frames continuous otftake ducts,

and channels lea in from said openings andterminating within said frame on opposite-sides of said'plate, said frameat the bottom thereofalso having two nonconununicating openin .therethroughadapted to Lform, with simi ar openings in contiguous frames, continuous electrolyte supply ducts, and channels leading fromsaid last named openings and terminating within said frame on opposite sides of said plate, atank, means dividing said tank into separate comparb mentsor chambers each having an outlet port adapted to communicate with one of said electrolyte snppl ducts, noncommunicating 10 gas domes, eac having an intake port adapted to communicate with one of said ofitake ducts,'said domes respectively being .in communication with a compartment or chamber in said tank, a diaphragm between each p'air offrames, and means securing all of said frames in position 'relativelv to said tank and said domes, said frames ing in sulabed from each other so that said cells are coupled in series. I

12. An electrolytic apparatus embodying therein a. cell containing an anbde,-a cathode and an interposed diaphragm, a tank having separate compartments or chambers for the electrolyte, means adjacent the bottom of saidtank whereby said chambers or compart ments are "placed in communication with each other to permit the equalization of the pressures in said chambers, independent, noncommunicating means delivering elee 12o trolyte from one of said com artments or chambers to ad acent the ano e, and from the other of sai compartments or chambers to adjacent the cathode,- and auxiliary electrolyte supply means discharging into either of said compartments or chambers.

13. An electrolytic apparatus embodying therein an electrode comprising a frame having an extension at the top t ereof projecting beyond said frame whereby any leakage of gas will be into atmosphere, sa d ex: tension being'provided with two openings extending therethrough, and a channel leading from each of said openings and discharging inwardly within said frame, and an extension at. the bottom thereof provided with two openings extending therethrough and a channel leading from each of said openings and discharging inwardly within said frame, and an imperiorate plate set within said frame between said upper and said lower channels respectively, whereby of said openings and discharging inwardly frame.

within said frame, and an extension at the bottom thereof provided with two openin 5 extending therethrough and a channel lea ing from each of said openings and discharging inwardly "within said frame, an

imperforate plate set within said frame between said upper and said lower channelsrespectively, whereby one of said upper and one of said lower channels communicate with one side'of said plate and the other of said upper and said lower channels communicate with the other side of said plate, and means whereby contac phragm with said plate'throu h the distortion of the former is prevente In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature in thepresence of two t of the disk subscribing witnesses, this 14th day of April,

a ISAAC H. LEVIN. \Vitnesses:

D. J ."TONKONOGY, F, T. WENTWORTH. 

